Blogging has been a tool which has allowed the amateur to get up on their own pedestal and communicate literally with the world. It has been the ultimate in freedom of speech. Additionally, it became a great leveler in that you did not have to go to journalism school to be a reporter in any given subject. Currently, that freedom is in the process of being limited. Nothing makes me cringe more than government interjecting itself into a process where it is not necessary. There are so many other issues they have to tackle instead.
On October 5, 2009, the Federal Trade Commission Commissioners voted 4 to 0 to regulate blogging. This ruling mandates that bloggers disclose any conflicts of interest and that the disclosure must be “clear and conspicuous” for the viewer to easily see. If someone does not divulge their conflicts of interest, they will be fined up to $11,000 per instance. The proposal was created under the auspices that bloggers are paid for their reviews both positive and negative on products and services. For me this is completely distressing. That essentially removes the freedom once enjoyed by the independent blogger.
For example, if I had a bad experience with a company – perhaps I worked for them in the past and then went to work for a competitor. If I blog against the first company without divulging the link to the second company - even if I no longer work there, my ability to freely express my displeasure is removed.
It is as if the FTC, like others in power, is once again assuming the consumer is inherently stupid and unable to know that some bloggers are paid to ‘like’ or ‘dislike’ products or services. Obviously, I am frustrated by any limitations on the technology, which enabled more people to speak their mind and share ideas with others.
This is almost as ignorant as the current legislation from Jay Rockefeller looking to regulate and control use of the Internet from the US only as if we actually owned the entire thing anyway.
More Later,
CH
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